Electrically-operated track-switch.



No. 888,389. I PATENTED MAY 19, 1908. F. B. COREY.

ELEGTRIGALLY OPERATED TRACK SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. '7. 1906.

WITNEEEEE. JNYEAZZTUR FRED B. C'UHE'X AT Y UNITED sures A ENT OFFICE.-

FRED B. COREY, ;OF SCIIEXECTA D 3'', NEW YOR K,

ASS IGN OR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC GOMPAN Y,

A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

ELECTRICALLY-OPERATED TRACK-SWITCH.

specification.

My invention relates to electrically-operated track-switches for electric railways, and particularly to the Ly p0 of track switch which is controlled by means of an insulated section in a working conductor arranged in such manner that if a vehicle coasts over the insulated section, the track switch is thrown 1n one direction, while if the vehicle draws current from the insulated section while passing over it, the switch is thrown in the op osite direction.

he ob'ect of my invention is to provide novelan efficient controlling means for securing the desired result.

My invention will best be understood by reference to the accompanying drawing, which shows diagrammatically an electrically-operated track switch arranged in accordance with my invention.

In the drawings A represents the track switch, which is arranged to be drawn in one direction or the other by the solenoids B and B". When the solenoid B is energized, the switch is set for the main track, as shown in the drawing, and if solenoid B I the switch point is thrown to its other posia pair of current 0 represents the working conductor for $11 pllymg power to the electrically-operated vs 0 es.

D and D represent a pair of contacts interposed in the working conductor and insulated therefrom. These contacts are arranged to be bridged by a current-collector E carried bv a moving vehicle. The contact D is connected to ground throu h resistance F, w 'e the contact 1% nectedto the working conductor C throu h cgtrolling magnets G and are afranged to respond to different strengths. The magnet G responds to a. weakencurren't than the magnet G and for this p ose may be arranged'with a eater num er of turns, as shown in the wings, or designed or connected in any well known manner to secure this result. These magnets control switches which are which Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed December '7, 1906. Serial No. 346,693.

resistance F to is energized,

a high is con- Patented May 19, 1908.

included in normally-open connection from the working conductor 0 t0 the operating magnets B and B The operation is as follows: When the cur: rent-collector E bridges the contacts D and D a circuit is closed from the working conductor C through the magnets G and G, contact D current-collectorE, contact D and ground. The current which flows through the resistance F is sufiicient to energize magnet G, but not to energize magnet G Magnet G, alone, consequently,

draws up its armatures thereby closing av circuit from working conductor 0 through the contact of magnet G, and through the lower or back contact of magnet G to solenoi-d B, and thence to ground. Magnet B is thus energized, position shown in the drawing, or if the switch is already there, merely holding it in that position. If, however, the motor circuit on the vehicle is closed while the current-collector E engages contacts D and D the current flowingthrough the motor circuit will be drawn through magnets G and G, and this current, being greater in amount than that which passes through resistance F, is sufficient to energize magnet G causing it to shift its contact to its upper position thereby cutting magnet 13 out of circuit and connecting magnet B to the working conductor. The magnet B draws in its core, shifting switchA to its other position. Thus, it will be seen that the switch is set for the main tracker siding, according as the vehicle coasts over contacts 3" and D", or draws current from them in passin I It will be understood that I have illustrated my invention diagrammatically, and that, in practice, any well known form of switch-operating magnets, contact devices, and controlling magnets may be employed. What I. claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is, 1. In an electric railway, in combination with a track switch, a pair of electroma nets for shifting said; switch in oppposite irections, a working conductor, a air of controlling magnets'responsive to 'fferent current-strengths, contact devices interposed in said working conductor adapted to be engaged by a current-collector one vehicle and to connect both of said controlling magnets "in series with the motor circuit on the vehicle and to establish a second circuit of high throwing the switch to the e resistance in shunt to switch-contacts controlled by said controlling magnets arranged to connect the working conductor to one or the other of the track switch shifting magnets according as one or both of said controlling magnets are energized.

2. In an electric railway, a track switch, a pair of operating magnets therefor, a Working conductor, a pair of contacts interposed in the working conductor and insulated therefrom and arranged to be bridged by a current-collector on a vehicle, high resistance connections from one of said contacts to ground, connections from the other of said contacts to the working conductor comprising a pair of controlling magnets responsive to difl'erent currentstrengths, normally open connections from the switch-operating magnets to the Working conductor, and contacts in said connections controlled by said controlling magnets.

3. In an electric railway, a track switch, a pair of operating magnets therefor, a work- I I I I I I j I I I I the motor circuit, and I ing' conductor, a pair of contacts interposed in the working conductor and insulated therefrom and arranged to be bridged by a current-collector on a vehicle, high-resistance connections from one of said contacts to ground, connections from the other of said contacts to the Working conductor compris ing a pair of controlling magnets responsive to different current-strengths, normallyopen connections from the switch-operating magnets to the working conductor, contacts controlled by the controlling magnet responsive to the Weaker current for closing said connections, and contacts controlled by the other controlling magnet for including said switch-operating magnetsalternately in said connections.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 6th day of December, 1906.

FRED B. COREY.

lVitnesses:

BENJAMIN B. HULL, HELEN ORFoRD. 

